In Re Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents (Supreme Court of India)
Summary: The Supreme Court of India, in In Re: Victims of Digital Arrest Related to Forged Documents, took suo motu cognisance of a complaint dated 21 September 2025 submitted by a senior citizen couple who allegedly lost ₹1,05,50,000 in a digital arrest scam conducted between 3 and 16 September 2025. According to the complaint, fraudsters impersonated officers of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED) and judicial authorities through telephone and video calls, displayed fabricated Supreme Court orders through WhatsApp and video conferencing, and threatened the victims with arrest and seizure of property to induce multiple bank transfers. Two FIRs had been registered at the Cyber Crime Branch, Ambala, under Sections 127(2), 308(2), 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The Court expressed grave concern over the fabrication of judicial documents, including purported freezing, arrest and surveillance orders, observing that the misuse of judicial seals, signatures and institutional authority threatened public confidence in the justice system and could not be treated merely as routine cybercrime. Noting that similar incidents had been reported elsewhere, the Court expressed a prima facie view that coordinated nationwide action involving Central and State police authorities was necessary. Accordingly, it issued notices to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, CBI, State of Haryana and Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime, Ambala; requested the Attorney General for India to assist; and directed the Ambala Cyber Crime Superintendent of Police to file an investigation status report. The matter was listed for 27 October 2025. The order initiated judicial scrutiny and did not finally determine criminal liability.
FULL TEXT OF THE ORDER OF SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
1. The instant suo motu writ petition has arisen out of a complaint dated 21.09.2025 received by this Court from a senior citizen couple, who have been defrauded of their life savings through a “digital arrest” scam perpetrated between 03.09.2025 and 16.09.2025. The victims have alleged that they were contacted by persons impersonating CBI officers, ED officials and judicial authorities through telephone and video calls. The fraudsters displayed forged orders of the Supreme Court through WhatsApp and video conferencing. Under threat of arrest and property seizure, based upon those forged documents, the victims were coerced to transfer Rs.1,05,50,000 through multiple bank transactions.
2. The complainants have fairly disclosed that two FIRs bearing No.76/2025 and No.77/2025 have been registered at the Cyber Crime Branch, Ambala under Sections 127(2), 308(2), 318(4), 336(3), 338, 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, indicating a pattern of organized criminal activity targeting senior citizens.
3. Ordinarily we would have directed the State Police to expedite the investigation and take it to a logical conclusion. We are, however, aghast at the fact that the fraudsters have fabricated judicial orders in the name of the Supreme Court of India and various other documents, including:
i) A “Freeze Order” dated 03.09.2025 bearing reference number F.No. EC/IRA/BZO-I/02/2025, purportedly issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002;
ii) An “Arrest Order” dated 03.09.2025 bearing the stamp and designation of an officer of the Directorate of Enforcements, Mumbai along with another Court stamp;
iii) A “Surveillance Order” with forged judicial signatures; and
iv) Various fictitious proceedings before the Bombay High Court and false claims of investigation by CBI and Enforcement Directorate.
4. The forgery of documents and the brazen criminal misuse of the name, seal, and judicial authority of this Court or a High Court is a matter of grave concern. The fabrication of judicial orders bearing forged signatures of Judges strikes at the very foundation of public trust in the judicial system, besides the rule of law. Such acts constitute a direct assault on the dignity and majesty of this institution, therefore, such grave criminal acts cannot be treated as ordinary or routine offences of cheating or cybercrime.
5. We are also inclined to take judicial notice of the fact that the instant case is not a solitary instance. It has been reported many times in responsible media reports that such like occurrences have happened in the past in different parts of the country. We are, therefore of the prima facie view that a stern action on Pan India basis with coordinated efforts between the Central and State Police are required to unearth the full extent of this criminal enterprise involving forgery of judicial documents, cyber extortion and cyber arrest of the innocent people, especially the senior citizens.
6. We, therefore, deem it appropriate to issue notice to:
i) Union of India through the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs;
ii) Central Bureau of Investigation through its Director;
iii) State of Haryana through its Principal Secretary, Department of Home; and
iv) Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime, Ambala.
7. Having regard to the manner in which similar crimes are being committed, we request the learned Attorney General for India to assist the Court.
8. The Registry is directed to forward a complete set of the complaint along with the documents received to the noticees and also forward a complete set to the office of the Learned Attorney General for India.
9. The Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime, Ambala is directed to file the status report of the investigation that has taken place so far.
10. Post the matter on 27.10.2025.
